6 Favorite Outdoor Spaces that Connect Me to Nature
"What's your favorite outdoor space, and why is it important to you? How does this connection to nature influence your environmental values?" Here is what 6 thought leaders have to say.
- Park Provides Calm and Connection to Nature
- River Park Offers Peaceful Retreat
- Garden Teaches Balance and Sustainability
- Park Project Reinforces Sustainable Tree Care
- Backyard Garden Blends Beauty and Function
- Baldy Mountain Inspires Sustainable Living
Park Provides Calm and Connection to Nature
A little park close to my house, with trees and a small lake, is one of my favorite outdoor areas. It provides a sense of calm and a connection to nature, making it a relaxing getaway from the bustle of daily life. My stay there serves as a reminder of the value of protecting natural areas, both for their aesthetic value and for the benefits they offer to local people. By reaffirming the notion that every single action, no matter how minor, adds to a greater movement towards sustainability, this relationship has impacted my environmental ideals. This park acts as a continual reminder of the significance of preserving our environment for coming generations, whether it be through waste reduction or green efforts.
River Park Offers Peaceful Retreat
My favorite outdoor space is a quiet, green park nestled by a river. It's important to me because it offers a peaceful retreat from daily life, allowing me to reconnect with nature and reflect. The sights and sounds of the flowing water, birds, and rustling leaves help me clear my mind and reduce stress. This connection deepens my environmental values, as I feel more attuned to the natural world and the need to preserve such spaces for future generations. It reminds me of the importance of conservation and sustainable practices in safeguarding our environment.
Garden Teaches Balance and Sustainability
As a florist with more than 10 years of experience, my favorite outdoor space is the garden behind my home. It's a small sanctuary where I grow a mix of seasonal flowers and herbs. Spending time there not only gives me a deep sense of calm but also reminds me of the intricate beauty of nature and the effort it takes to nurture it.
This connection has greatly influenced my environmental values and business practices. I've made it a point to use sustainable sourcing for my flowers, choosing local growers whenever possible to reduce my carbon footprint. I've also started incorporating more biodegradable materials into my floral packaging, inspired by the natural cycles I observe in my garden.
Nature teaches balance, and that balance guides my choices. By nurturing this relationship with the environment, I've found ways to create beauty while being mindful of my impact. My garden is not just a retreat but a teacher, constantly inspiring me to improve both personally and professionally.
Park Project Reinforces Sustainable Tree Care
One of my favorite outdoor spaces is a small park tucked within a residential area in Dallas that I worked on a few years back. The city was looking to revitalize it, but the area's mature trees were at risk due to overgrown roots and poor drainage, which made them vulnerable. I led a project with my team at Ponce Tree Services to evaluate the trees and create a plan that would protect them, ensuring they would continue to thrive for generations. The project involved careful root pruning, aerating the soil, and setting up a sustainable drainage system. Working on this project was incredibly rewarding because I got to see firsthand how well-managed trees can transform a space into a natural oasis, creating a place for families and residents to gather, walk, and reconnect with nature.
This experience solidified my belief in sustainable, responsible tree care. Knowing the impact that healthy trees and green spaces have on the environment keeps me committed to using eco-friendly practices in every job we take on. My years in this field have taught me that trees are living investments in a community's well-being and that it's our duty to protect and maintain them. Every choice we make, from the equipment we use to the way we manage tree health, reflects a respect for nature and the value it brings to both people and the planet. This connection to nature drives me to preserve and protect these spaces for future generations.
Backyard Garden Blends Beauty and Function
My favorite outdoor space is my own backyard garden. It's a space I have nurtured over the years, blending ornamental plants, native species, and a thriving vegetable patch. I designed it to be not only visually appealing but also functional, with zones that encourage biodiversity. For instance, I incorporated pollinator-friendly flowers like lavender and salvia alongside productive crops like tomatoes and capsicums. It's a constant reminder of the balance we can create between aesthetics and sustainability. This garden is personal to me because it's where I test out techniques I bring to my clients, whether it's soil improvement strategies, water-saving irrigation systems, or plant pairings that complement each other for health and productivity. My years of experience as a horticulturist and over 700 completed projects give me the confidence to create spaces that inspire, like this one.
Spending time in the garden strengthens my belief in sustainable practices. Observing how native bees thrive in an environment free of harsh chemicals or how compost enriches the soil without synthetic fertilizers has shaped how I approach my work. I encourage clients to adopt similar environmentally conscious methods, knowing they're both practical and impactful. My connection to this garden reminds me that we're caretakers of the spaces we shape, and my professional qualifications allow me to bring these values into every project, creating gardens that don't just look good but actively contribute to a healthier environment.
Baldy Mountain Inspires Sustainable Living
Baldy Mountain Resort is my favorite outdoor space because it offers a serene and intimate connection to nature that larger, busier ski hills simply can't replicate. The resort is in the British Columbia interior, and you get stunning alpine views with a slower pace that lets you truly immerse yourself in the environment. There's skiing the powdery runs or hiking the trails in the off-season. Baldy Mountain fosters a sense of peace and respect for the natural world.
This connection to Baldy has profoundly shaped my environmental values. Being surrounded by untouched wilderness reminds me of the importance of preserving these spaces for future generations. Seeing firsthand how fragile snowpack levels can fluctuate has deepened my commitment to supporting sustainable tourism and reducing my personal environmental footprint. Nature has a way of grounding us, and Baldy Mountain Resort is where I feel most inspired to live sustainably and advocate for protecting the planet.
